Snow Removal
Snow Emergencies
KEEP OUR ROADS CLEAN & SAFE! eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP NEWS
A reminder that it is illegal for any person, firm, organization or other entity to deposit, place, divert or otherwise cause to be placed any liquid or particulate matter, including, but not limited to, snow, ice, water, refuse, debris, dirt, grass, or leaves upon any street, road, highway, lane or alley within Peters Township.
Each year, we do receive complaints of snow, leaves, grass, and debris being dumped into our roadways. We take these complaints seriously, and any person who violates or permits a violation shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a
WINTER SALT USAGE
As a homeowner, keeping ice and snow off your driveway and walkways is important for safety and convenience. When using deicing products such as rock salt( sodium chloride) or calcium chloride, please keep in mind that these compounds are extremely soluble in water and, as the snow melts, will eventually end up in our local streams. Chloride can be harmful to aquatic and plant life as concentration levels rise. There are ways to reduce the impact of salt usage by following these guidelines:
• SHOVEL EARLY AND OFTEN: Deicers are most effective when there is only a thin layer of snow or ice that must be removed. Shoveling or sweeping a few times during a storm may not only save your back, but, will also make a final application of deicer work more effectively.
• APPLY SALT SPARINGLY: The recommended application rate for rock salt is about one( 1) handful per square yard. For calcium chloride, one( 1) handful per every three( 3) square yards is recommended.
Snow Removal
Peters Township performs snow removal on 140 miles of roads, 21 of those by contract with PennDOT. The township has a Council-endorsed policy that states from the time that the Public Works Department is first notified of hazardous road conditions, all roads within its jurisdiction will be treated with salt within 3 hours. If snow plowing is required, the policy states that all roads have been plowed at least once within 6 hours. The Public Works Department’ s vehicle inventory has 13 fully equipped trucks plus 3 additional vehicles equipped only with snowplows.
12 PETERS TOWNSHIP
Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $ 1,000, plus costs of prosecution. Please do your part in keeping our roadways clean and safe!
We encourage residents to view this section: Chapter 376: Streets and Sidewalks § 376-23: Unlawful deposits along with other areas of the Peters Township Code of Ordinances at peterstownship. com / code.
• CALCIUM CHLORIDE VS. ROCK SALT: If you have the choice, calcium chloride is better deicer because it is effective to a much lower temperature than rock salt and can be spread at a much lower application rate.
• SENSITIVE PLANTS: If you have any salt-sensitive trees, shrubbery, or grass within 10 feet of your sidewalk or driveway, you should avoid both rock salt and calcium chloride or use in very small doses. Common plants susceptible to salt are:
Deciduous Trees Tulip Poplar, Green Ash, Hickory, Red Maple, Sugar Maple
Conifers Shrubs Grasses
Balsam Fir, White Pine, Hemlock, Norway Spruce Dogwood, Redbud, Hawthorn, Rose, Spirea Kentucky Bluegrass, Red Fescue
Snow Emergencies
When a significant snowfall occurs, it is sometimes necessary for the Township to declare a snow emergency. During a snow emergency, on-street parking is prohibited, and the police department can issue tickets or even have vehicles towed away. Citations can be issued to operators of vehicles not equipped with snow tires or chains. When a snow emergency is declared, it is broadcasted on Peters Township Comcast Cable Channels 7 and 17 and Verizon Channels 38 and 40. This information is also distributed to a number of local radio, television stations, and available on the township’ s website, peterstownship. com, and social media pages.